Monitor hell

[directhex]

My screen, a Dell 2709W, seems to be dying - blacking out randomly when in use - and it's getting worse.

This is bad. It's fine with DisplayPort input, which to me implies something screwy with the DVI/HDMI clock mcguffin inside the monitor. It's definitely not the GPU, since I replaced that (and the DVI cable) without it helping the problem.

So. New screen is looking inevitable, on the horizon. Problem is, I'm not made of money.

So, specs of what I have already:

27"
1920x1200
VGA, 2xDVI, DP, HDMI, Component, Composite
HDCP
Memory card reader
S-PVA display

The latest Dell replacement, the Dell U2711 (or U2713HM, which isn't on dell.co.uk yet), is more or less the same on every point except resolution, which is increased to 1440p. However, that's about £600, which is a LOT of money - probably more than I can afford. The HP equivalent is about the same money, too, and I assume most brands offering non-TN+Film 27" displays in this class are about that money.

This leaves me with various downgrade options, or spending too much money.

• 27": I could downgrade to 24", and get a screen which is pretty much what I have but smaller for closer to £300, e.g. Dell U2412M. But downgrades make me sad
• 1920x1200: sadly it seems this resolution is dead. 1080p is much cheaper, since 1080p monitors can use recycled TV panels (meaning I lose 230,000 pixels versus 1920x1200). At the other end there's 1440p on modern 27" screens, both the expensive offerings from the likes of Dell and HP, and crazy ebay imports from Korea. I'm not sure my 5850 can do much justice to 1440p though, I'm already having to play Rage on 1680x1050
• VGA, 2xDVI, DP, HDMI, Component, Composite: I really need at least two digital inputs, and I really really would prefer it if at least one of them was DisplayPort. As an example, the super cheap Korean screens tend to have only one input, which is no use for me.
• HDCP: The cheapy ebay specials don't do HDCP, so this is the line where I say "they're totally no use for me"
• Memory card reader: A nice-to-have. Don't need it.
• S-PVA display: Nobody does *VA anymore - it's IPS or TN+Film. I really don't want to downgrade to TN+Film when I've been on better tech for a decade. But if I downgrade to TN+Film, that opens up 120Hz (and 3D) - but if I buy a 120Hz 3D screen, and I'm on a Radeon, I'm screwed again. tl;dr: blarg

So like I said, no good options. The "best" choice costs me £600. I downgrade to 24" for half that, but then I've lost 3" and I hear size counts. Beyond that, there are messy alternative choices.

Suggestions?

[ehhhhhhh]

I was looking at this not too long ago...I didn't buy it though

[directhex]

Hmmmmmmm @ http://www.digimate.com/en/productDetail.asp?prod=691 for £400

[jim]

I don't see why you're requiring 24", and considering it a downgrade. You've got to accept the loss in pixels: if 2560*1440 is unaffordable, then 1920*1080 is your only choice.

That means that it just comes down to pixel density: 1920*1080 at 22", 24" or 27". You could easily stick with 27" if you want, or go all the way down to 22". Either way, it's not really much of a downgrade. If you can see the smaller pixels (I'm quite happy with 1080p on a 22" 2212HM) then a smaller screen is better in my eyes... depending on how far you want to see the screen from. If you're keen for some reason to keep the size, then there are a variety of options at 27" aren't there?

Just to chuck an alternative out there, you could get 2* http://www.scan.co.uk/products/215-d...gadp-usb-black and still have change from £400.